Slightly OT--A little Nervous about colonoscopy and my SA

Okay, I gotta 'fess up. I had read where some facilities actually make a video of the procedures. Of course, none in my area have the capabilities. So ... I'd made a bargain w/my gastro: if she could find a way to get me a video of the procedure I'd agree to the Propofol. She outsmarted me. She told me to bring my video cam. She got permission from the facility and one of the staff videoed the monitor during the procedure for me. They are a GREAT bunch there. The beginning of the video is NOT of the monitor during the scope but of me, out of it, mouth hanging open, and all the staff and my gastro gathered around me, laughing, waving and saying "hi, Judy". Then the scope on the monitor begins. Paybacks are hell. Tha'ts how I came to have a colonoscopy w/Propofol.

What timing...Today I had a Colonoscopy and Endoscopy. I've had this done several times, but, this is the first time since my apnia diagnosis. I didn't need my CPAP, the nurse said they monitor very closely. I had the oxygen tubes in my nose "just in case" my o2 level would drop. The time for the combined proceedure was less than 45 minutes. I was under "conscious sedation" (Versed and Demerol). You feel nothing and remember nothing although you are partially awake during the proceedure. The worst part is the prep although it was easier than my last proceedure. Now they use Halflitely (64oz) and 2 pills rather that the 128oz as before. Really nothing to worry about.

Just want to say thanks so much to every one of you who have shared so much on this thread. I appreciate all of it!

"you're either gonna hate it, or you're gonna want to take it home with you" were the exact words from the nurse right before insertion.

upforsleep wrote:"you're either gonna hate it, or you're gonna want to take it home with you" were the exact words from the nurse right before insertion.

LOL

JimIllinois wrote:karessamom -

No, I did not bring the machine, since I was told I would not really be asleep. I was in and out of the procedure area in less than a half hour, and fully cognizant as I was wheeled out to the recovery area. I don't remember most of the procedure itself (thankfully). I did get 5 nice digital photos taken by the scope, to share with my friends.

The place was a colonoscopy factory - people filing in, people filing out. I hope they wash the scope between procedures...

The evening before is far more scary, trust me.

DITTO the above.

I just had mine this past June.........

I can give you a little hint though, if you ever have this and your doc is like mine,,,In that you have to drink that whole ^$%$^%% bottle of stuff ( he won't do the pill thing)

Mix it with Crystal Light Lemonade powder... It makes it tolerable, the other part (living in the bathroom) is never tolerable

http://www.ruddclinic.com/colonoscopy.html

Known as the hemmoroid capital of the North America,the Rudd clinic also does colonoscopy.

I went for a colonoscopy in 2004,easy in easy out.

Watched the 5 or 6 feet of endoscope on the monitor.

Mild sedative for me and took the subway and bus home,no problems.

Like the website says,the most uncomfortable thing is using the Fleet Enema prior to the procedure.

Hi karessamom,

I'm one more colonoscopy veteran happy to share my experience. What I really want to urge is that you don't let nervousness about the procedure or about undergoing sedation while having OSA tempt you to postpone or skip the your colonoscopy. Although it is unusual for a 50-year-old to have a tumor, it is not unknown. I was actually a month or two shy of my 50th when I had my first colonoscopy, and to my surprise I did have colon cancer. That was six years ago, so I can count myself cured, but my chances wouldn't have been as good if I had waited for clear symptoms.

After colon cancer you get scoped extra often for a few years, so I've been through it several times now. I agree with the "no big deal" crowd. I've never found the prep so bad. I like mine as cold as it can be. I found the procedure itself slightly uncomfortable the first time. Since then, nothing, but that may just be 'cause my colon is a little shorter and straighter than it used to be. I would rate colonoscopy as no worse than a routine dental checkup and cleaning, and much less unpleasant than real dental work.

I haven't been scoped since my OSA diagnosis, but I plan to tell my gastroenterologist well in advance. I don't feel a strong need to use CPAP during or after the procedure, since the sedation is light, but I want to be sure that the doctor and staff take my OSA into account in deciding whether I ought to have this done in a hospital setting, whether an anesthesiologist should be present, what sedation to use, and how intensive monitoring needs to be during recovery. I'll bring the CPAP if I'm advised to. As you probably know, one step in the process is pumping the colon full of air (insufflation) in order to get a better view. I look forward to saying, "No need for the gas, doc. I'm a hose head. I insufflate my own colon."

Humor - just what the doctor ordered.

Another veteran here. Never intentionally been awake, but has happened a couple times at what must have been those locations most likely to make one push the pain med pump. While I would be fascinated in watching the screen, I'll pass. Had various meds in maybe a half dozen procedures (some lower, some upper & lower) and no complications from the meds. The meds they use these days don't leave me sleepy all day like in times past. I did not take my cpap on the last two. I did make sure every nurse I saw and the doctor were reminded I have sleep apnea. From what I was told, I was never really asleep, just unable to remember being awake. That's good enough for me. Every time in recent years, I've been awake when wheeled to recovery and my gurney had me sitting almost upright, so I was comfortable with not taking the cpap.

I was more worried about my wild legs (PLMD) during the procedures and warned the staff that they flail wildly when asleep. I was afraid I'd kick the doctor and cause him to reach "the end of the line" in record time.

Hope this thread has helped calm your jitters. Best wishes.

Kathy

Karessamom, Good for you! You are doing the wise thing having the screening done right away! Colon, breast, and prostate cancer are linked (one piece of the good news is, you don't have to worry about the prostate!) and by having this test you are telling your body you are going to take care of it. I've had several colonoscopies and biopsies these past few years. I went to a Gastroenterologist, however, who found a large flat cluster polyp that was advanced and of the more serious type. It was still benign, just far advanced towards malignancy. The unfortunate part is that she was not skilled enough to remove the polyp and not honest enough to admit that. After three failed tries, she sent me to a surgeon for a colorectal resection. So do consider going to a colorectal surgeon to begin with for your colonoscopy. A lot of my thinking has always been that "to a hammer, everything is a nail" so I'd avoided surgeons for this test. That wasn't wise in my particular case. The surgeon could have removed the polyp with his hands behind his back and I wouldn't have ever had to have that major operation. Too, now I'm locked into a more frequent repeat colonoscopy schedule. Sorry to get off topic, but I feel the obligation to encourage people to get screened, to flee from any inept G.I. if he can't take care of a tricky polyp, etc. As for your CPAP, bring it and ask if you can wear it. My experience with colonoscopies is that the sleep is very very light, but even when you're half-awake during the procedure, you don't have any anxiety or pain. The test seems to be over in the twinkle of an eye. You wake with the person who brought you right beside you, and the doctor brings photos (I was too groggy to see them) and tells you his findings. Get your friend or loved one to jot notes so you can read them later when you are alert again. If the doctor has taken any biopsies, your pathology report may take a few days and you need to obtain a copy for your own records. Do you have high blood pressure or kidney problems? I always drink the big jug of Nulytely because I can keep it down and it does not raise my blood pressure. Pharmacists and doctors will say all the big jugs are alike, but Nulytely does help me immensely. The other jugs gave me nausea and weakness, and the pill-prep make me faint repeatedly and unable to walk or talk. Friends and relatives tell me they have never had any trouble at all except for being tied to the bathroom and dealing with a sore bottom and they have used various preps, so my case is a little weird. I'm passing along my strange experience just in case. If you have no kidney problems, no hypertension, no electrolyte imbalances, then you have more choices. Keep some petroleum jelly in the bathroom to prevent raw bottom. It works! I hope you will get a wonderful clean report and not have to have another colonoscopy for ten years!

Even with sedation, my colonoscopy was unfortunately the most traumatic medical procedure in my life and I've had many. I had PSTD from it and sobbed during medical tests for years afterwards. People had told me a colonoscopy would be a "piece of cake." Quite the opposite. I'm sorry I was misled and I thus want to warn you . I would never discourage you from getting any medical test you need, but for me the colonoscopy far worse than anyone had described so I say don't go without sedation.

Thanks all for your replies! I am definitely going to go for the sedation--as far as i'm concerned just knock me out and get it over with--i don't want to feel it! it might be kind of interesting to watch on the video but i probably wouldn't remember any of it anyhow with the sedation--I think I will bring CPAP just incase--I can always leave it in car and my cousin can go get it if needed. I've said this repeatedly but i don't seem to trust my body anymore from past experience and drugs that i've been given. I know what happens and I don't want a repeat! that being said, i'm sure if the dr. and staff know about my OSA and my past experiences, they'll take every precaution so it doesn't happen. (I desat and forget to breathe when really relaxed) and with the CPAP i'm sure i won't have a problem.

Demerol and Versed are the best!!!! Don't know what they did to me and don't care. Had a colonoscopy and upper endoscopy. Just remember in recovery passing tons of gas, I think they said they pump air into you to get a better look. Worst part was the prep. Put your halflitely in with apple juice and you won't taste it at all. Better than Crystal Lite.

Slinky,

Very rarely do I have a hard time finding something to say, but this is one of those times. I just want you to know, and others with Chron's, (I think you will recall the thread) you may call me a "WUS" as often as you want, you have earned the right to do so. I watched my sister-in-law battle ovarian cancer for 6 years and often wondered if I was man enough to fight a battle like her's and yours'. So from now on I will, from you, consider "WUS" a term of endearment.

Know that you all have a place in my special prayers.

Blessings,

Fred

A few weeks ago I had to have a cystoscopy w/ no sedation

Carbonman, all I can say is OMG. I feel for ya.

I too am a veteran of colonoscopies having had colon cancer in 1980 at the ripe old age of 29. Up until the last ten years I only got some form of sedation that left me able to watch on the monitor. Now they put me to sleep for it. For the first two years after my cancer I had to have one every six months. Than it was once a year for about five years and so on. Now they want me to have it more often again and I have an appointment with my doctor next week to schedule one. I personally would like to be sedated for the weekend of getting cleaned out for it and wouldn't mind being awake during it.